Tour bike: Sylvain Chavanel’s Scott Addict

With only the slightest hint of his team’s colours poking through the paintwork on the Scott Addict, Sylvain Chavanel's future looks bright with IAM cycling

The bike is nothing new, although it will be to Sylvain Chavanel, who has spent the best part of five years riding a Specialized frame.

The main highlight is the paint. He must have the words ‘custom paintjob’ written into his contract, because this isn’t the first time we’ve been mesmerised by one of his colourful machines.

‘Chava’ is emblazoned on the top tube in fine lyric script. The hot red/orange colour is offset by IAM’s royal blue, so as not to totally disassociate him from his new team-mates.
For the Dauphiné, he rode as number 91, team leader.

A well-worn Shimano Dura Ace 11-speed crank with added SRM power is matched to the rest of the groupset, which is electronic of course — no expense spared. A 55mm DT Swiss Spline wheelset takes up the rolling duties.

Chava seems to be getting on OK with his brand new 2014 bike so far this season, with a couple of podium spots in UCI Europe Tour events to celebrate.

Looking suspiciously like Polyfilla — this solution to a common problem is decidedly low-tech.